Window Unit Having Decorative Strip Mounted Thereon

ABSTRACT

In the window unit composed of a window pane and frame, the frame has two profiled sections. The first profiled section serves for connecting to the window pane and generally extends along the entire window pane edge and bears against it at an edge region or at two or three edge regions. The second profiled section serves for connecting to a decorative strip and therefore generally extends over only a predefined longitudinal section of the frame. The second profiled section of the frame generally has a plurality of longitudinal sections with a bearing face for the decorative strip. In addition, the second profiled section generally has a plurality of longitudinal sections each with a continuous cutout, located in the region of the horizontal projection of the decorative strip, for a securing strip. On the underside of the decorative strip there is a longitudinally extending cutout with a cross-sectional constriction. Each securing strip has a cross-sectional widened portion which is matched to the cross-sectional constriction on the decorative strip in order to form a clipping effect. Each securing strip has, on the side facing away from the decorative strip, a securing plate whose horizontal projection extends at least in certain regions beyond the horizontal projection of the cutout in the second profiled section of the frame. 
     The securing plates of all the securing strips which are present are expediently connected to one another so that the securing strips can together be plugged from below through the cutouts in the second profiled section of the frame in order to be able to clip the decorative strip onto it from above.

In automobile window units composed of a window pane and frame, a decorative strip is sometimes mounted along a predefined longitudinal section of the frame. For this purpose, securing elements for the decorative strip are arranged in said longitudinal section of the frame. In a known embodiment (DE 198 18 153 A1), base bodies made of a material with a relatively high strength are integrated along the respective longitudinal section of the frame for the securing elements. During the manufacture of the frame they are inserted into the injection molding mold and positioned therein by means of positioning elements. After the window unit has been removed from the mold, protruding parts of the positioning elements are removed. Securing clamps made of metal are fitted onto these base bodies later, said securing clamps engaging on the one hand in grooves in the base bodies and on the other hand have latching wings onto which the decorative strip is clipped.

This method of securing a decorative strip is used in window units in which the frame projects into the face region of the window pane and therefore the securing means for the decorative strip can be accommodated in this face region of the frame.

In the case of window units in which the horizontal projection face of the frame is located for the most part outside the window pane, a decorative strip cannot be anchored by means of an embedded base body.

The invention is based on the object of providing a means for securing decorative strips which is additionally also easy to mount even for such window units.

This object is achieved by means of a window unit having the features specified in claim 1.

A first part of a securing means for the decorative strip is provided by virtue of the fact that the window unit has, in addition to the first profiled section serving for connecting to the window pane, a second profiled section in whose horizontal projection region the frame is provided with at least one bearing face for the decorative strip and with at least one continuous cutout. A second part of the securing means is provided by virtue of the fact that on the underside of the decorative strip there is at least one longitudinal section which has a cutout with a cross-sectional constriction and by virtue of the fact that there is a securing strip with a cross-sectional widened portion.

A third part of the securing means is provided by virtue of the fact that on the securing strip there is a stop plate which partly projects beyond the cutout on the frame. All of the parts of the securing means together permit the securing strip which engages through the cutout to be clipped onto the decorative strip which is positioned on the bearing face of the frame and to be secured to the frame by means of the stop plate.

By virtue of an embodiment of the window unit as claimed in claim 2, the cross-sectional widened portion of the securing strip becomes more elastic, which facilitates the clipping onto the decorative strip.

By virtue of an embodiment of the window unit as claimed in claim 3, a plurality of securing means for the decorative strip are provided with which even relatively long decorative strips can be securely fixed.

In one refinement of the window unit as claimed in claim 4, when the cutout is open the securing strip can be fitted laterally onto the frame and pulled out, whereas when the cutout is closed the hold is better.

In one refinement of the window unit as claimed in claim 5, the securing strips form one structural unit so that they can be fitted together onto the frame and removed from it together.

With one refinement of the window unit as claimed in claim 6, the decorative strip and its securing means can be positioned even better and fixed better in the correct relative position.

In the text which follows, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a detail of a cross section of a window unit with a frame and a decorative strip arranged on the frame in combination with two parts of the vehicle bodywork;

FIG. 2 shows a detail of a cross section of the window unit according to FIG. 1 with a decorative strip and securing strip in the assembled state without parts of the vehicle bodywork;

FIG. 3 shows a detail of a cross section of the window unit according to FIG. 2 with a decorative strip and securing strip in an exploded illustration;

FIG. 4 shows a detail of the window unit in a perspective view without a decorative strip or securing strip;

FIG. 5 shows a detail of the securing strip for the decorative strip in a perspective view;

FIG. 6 shows a detail of the window unit according to FIG. 4 in a perspective view with the securing strip inserted;

FIG. 7 shows a detail of the decorative strip in a perspective view; and

FIG. 8 shows a detail of the window unit according to FIG. 6 in a perspective view with the decorative strip fitted on.

FIG. 1 shows a window unit 10 with a window pane 11 and a frame 12 which is equipped with a decorative strip. The window unit 10 is illustrated together with two parts 13 and 14 of the vehicle bodywork, on which parts 13 and 14 the window unit 10 bears in the installed state, said window unit 10 being attached to one 13 of the parts of the vehicle bodywork by means of a bead 15 of adhesive.

As is apparent from the individual illustration in FIG. 2, and even more so from the exploded illustration in FIG. 3, the frame profile has two profiled sections 21 and 22 which serve different purposes.

The first profiled section 21 serves for connecting the frame 12 to the window pane 11. Accordingly, the profiled section 21 extends along the entire edge of the window pane 11. The profiled section 21 is integrally formed onto three sides of the edge region of the window pane 11. Instead of the illustrated embodiment, the profiled section 21 can also bear against just two or even just one edge region of the window pane and be connected to it.

Depending on the conditions of the bodywork, the profiled section 21 can have, in other sections of the frame 11, an entirely different contour line from that illustrated.

In a predefined circumferential section of the window unit 10 and therefore in a predefined longitudinal section of the frame 12, there is, in addition to the first profiled section 21, a second profiled section 22 which serves for connecting to a decorative strip 23. This longitudinal section of the frame 12 is at least approximately in the shape of an elongated strip (FIG. 4).

Depending on the length of the decorative strip 23, the frame 12 has, in the region of its second profiled section 22, two or more longitudinal sections 24 which have a bearing face 25 for the decorative strip 23 (FIG. 4). Between them, the frame 12 has longitudinal sections 26, each with a cutout 27, passing through the profiled section 22, for a securing strip 28 (FIG. 5).

As is apparent in particular from FIG. 3, the decorative strip 23 has a smooth, slightly arched upper side 31. On its underside, the decorative strip 23 has a cutout 32 with a cross-sectional constriction. This cross-sectional constriction is formed by two profiled sections 33 and 34 which are arranged at a distance from one another which is smaller than the distance from the adjoining contour line of the cutout 32.

As is indicated in FIG. 3, each securing strip 28 has, on the side facing the decorative strip 23, a cross-sectional widened portion which is formed by two profiled sections 35 and 36 which are arranged at a distance from one another. The outer distance between them is greater than that from the adjoining contour line of the securing strip 28. In order to form a clipping effect when the decorative strip 23 is joined to the securing strip 28, the outer distance between the two profiled sections 35 and 36 of the securing strip 28 is greater than the inner distance between the two profiled sections 33 and 34 on the cutout 32 of the decorative strip 23 by a degree corresponding to the elasticity of the materials of the decorative strip 23 and of the securing strip 28.

This clipping effect is assisted by the fact that on the securing strip 28 one 36 of the profiled sections for the cross-sectional widened portion is arranged on a rib 37 which is oriented at least approximately at right angles to the rest of the securing strip 28.

As is apparent from FIG. 4, the bearing faces 25 for the decorative strip 23 are interrupted by the cutouts 27 for the securing strip 28 on the second profiled part 22 of the frame 12.

From a comparison of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 it is apparent that in the assembled state (FIG. 2) the profiled sections 35 and 36 of the securing strip 28 engage through the cutout 27 in the frame profiled section 22 into the cutout 32 in the decorative strip 23 in order to be clipped in at their profiled sections 33 and 34. So that the securing strip 28 nevertheless provides a hold on the frame 12, each securing strip 28 has, on the side facing away from the decorative strip 23, a stop plate 38 (FIG. 5) which is oriented at least approximately parallel to the underside of the second profiled section 22 of the frame 12 and its horizontal projection extends at least in certain regions beyond the horizontal projection of the cutout 32 on the profiled section 22 so that the stop strips 28 therefore bear against the underside of the profiled section 22. This bearing arrangement is promoted by the fact that the stop plates 38 of all the securing strips 28 adjoin one another in the longitudinal direction of the frame 12 and form a common stop strip 39 (FIG. 5).

As is apparent from FIG. 4, the cutouts 27 in the frame profiled part 22 are closed at their edge facing away from the first profiled section 21 by a web 41. As a result, the securing strips 28 can be introduced into the cutouts 27 only from below. If it is desired to move the securing strips into position from the side, it is expedient to omit the webs 41 on the edge of the cutouts 27.

As is apparent from FIG. 4, positioning faces 42 and 43 are arranged on the upper side of the second profiled section 22 of the frame 12. Said positioning faces 42 and 43 are oriented parallel to the longitudinal extent of the frame 12. They have a surface normal which is inclined in the transverse direction. Positioning faces which are matched to the positioning faces 42 and 43 on the profiled part 22 are also arranged on the underside of the decorative strip 23 in the vicinity of their cutout 32. Depending on the design of the decorative strip and of the second profiled part 22 of the frame 12, it is also possible to arrange positioning faces which are matched to one another and which are oriented transverse with respect to the longitudinal extent of the decorative strip 23 and of the frame 12.

The decorative strip is mounted in the way as is apparent from the sequence of FIGS. 6-8. The securing strips 28 are plugged through the cutouts 27 in the profiled section 22 from the underside of said profiled section 22 so that the profiled sections 35 and 36 of said securing strips 28 project out from the cutout (FIG. 6). The decorative strip 23 (FIG. 7) is fitted onto these profiled sections 35 and 36 of the securing strips 28 and pressed onto the securing strips 28 until they latch in or clip in. This then results in the final state which is apparent from FIG. 8.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 Window unit -   11 Window pane -   12 Frame -   13. Part of vehicle bodywork -   14 Part of vehicle bodywork -   15 Bead of adhesive -   21 Profiled section -   22 Profiled section -   23 Decorative strip -   24 Longitudinal sections -   25 Bearing face -   26 Longitudinal sections -   27 Cutout -   28 Securing strip -   31 Upper side -   32 Cutout -   33 Profiled section -   34 Profiled section -   35 Profiled section -   36 Profiled section -   37 Rib -   38 Stop plate -   39 Stop strip -   41 Webs -   42 Positioning face -   43 Positioning face 

1-6. (canceled)
 7. A window unit composed of a window pane and frame which can be equipped with a decorative strip, having the features: the frame has, along its entire longitudinal extent, a first profiled section which serves for connecting to the window pane, which first profiled section adjoins the window pane at an edge region or at two or three edge regions of said window pane, and which is integrally formed on the window pane, bonded to the window pane or secured to the window pane by positive engagement, characterized by the features: the frame has, in a predetermined longitudinal section, a second profiled section which adjoins the first profiled section and serves for connecting to the decorative strip, in the vicinity of the second profiled section, the frame has at least a first longitudinal section which has a bearing face for the decorative strip, in the vicinity of the second profiled section, the frame has at least a second longitudinal section which has a continuous cutout, located in the region of the horizontal projection of the decorative strip, for a securing strip, the securing strip has a longitudinal extent which is smaller than that of the cutout for the securing strip, on the underside of the decorative strip there is at least one longitudinal section which has a cutout whose side walls merge at the outer end with in each case one profiled section, the distance between which (inner distance) is less than the distance from the section of the side walls of the cutout which inwardly adjoins said profiled section, and as a result forms a cross-sectional constriction of the cutout, the securing strip has at least one longitudinal section on whose side facing the decorative strip two profiled sections which are arranged at a distance from one another are arranged, the external distance (outer distance) between which is greater than the distance from the profiled sections which adjoin cutout them inwardly, and as a result form a cross-sectional widened portion of the securing strip, the inner distance between the two profiled sections at the end of the side walls of the cutout of the decorative strip are smaller than the outer distance of the two profiled sections on the securing strip by a degree corresponding to the elasticity of the materials of the decorative strip and of the securing strip in order to form a clipping effect, the securing strip has a stop plate on the side facing away from the decorative strip, which is oriented at least approximately parallel to the underside of the second profiled section of the frame and whose horizontal projection extends at least in certain regions beyond the horizontal projection of the cutout for the securing strip.
 8. The window unit as claimed in claim 7, having the features: at least one profiled section of the two profiled sections for the cross-sectional widened portion of the securing strip is arranged on a rib which is oriented at least approximately perpendicularly with respect to the rest of the securing strip.
 9. The window unit as claimed in claim 7, having the features: the longitudinal section, located outside the first profiled section, of the frame is in the shape of an elongated strip, this longitudinal section of the frame has two or more bearing faces for the decorative strip, this longitudinal section of the frame has two or more cutouts for a securing strip.
 10. The window unit as claimed in claim 7, having the features: each cutout for a securing strip is open at the edge facing away from the first profiled section of the frame or is closed by a web.
 11. The window unit as claimed in claim 9, having the features: at least some of the stop plates of the securing strips or all of the stop plates adjoin one another in the longitudinal direction and form a common stop strip.
 12. The window unit as claimed in claim 7, having the features: positioning faces which are matched to one another are arranged on the underside of the decorative strip and on the upper side of the face section, lying opposite it, of the second profiled section of the frame, which positioning faces are oriented parallel to and/or transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the frame, and which have a surface normal which is inclined in the longitudinal direction or the transverse direction.
 13. The window unit as claimed in claim 8, having the features: the longitudinal section, located outside the first profiled section, of the frame is in the shape of an elongated strip, this longitudinal section of the frame has two or more bearing faces for the decorative strip, this longitudinal section of the frame has two or more cutouts for a securing strip.
 14. The window unit as claimed in claim 8, having the features: each cutout for a securing strip is open at the edge facing away from the first profiled section of the frame or is closed by a web.
 15. The window unit as claimed in claim 9, having the features: each cutout for a securing strip is open at the edge facing away from the first profiled section of the frame or is closed by a web.
 16. The window unit as claimed in claim 8, having the features: positioning faces which are matched to one another are arranged on the underside of the decorative strip and on the upper side of the face section, lying opposite it, of the second profiled section of the frame, which positioning faces are oriented parallel to and/or transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the frame, and which have a surface normal which is inclined in the longitudinal direction or the transverse direction.
 17. The window unit as claimed in claim 9, having the features: positioning faces which are matched to one another are arranged on the underside of the decorative strip and on the upper side of the face section, lying opposite it, of the second profiled section of the frame, which positioning faces are oriented parallel to and/or transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the frame, and which have a surface normal which is inclined in the longitudinal direction or the transverse direction.
 18. The window unit as claimed in claim 10, having the features: positioning faces which are matched to one another are arranged on the underside of the decorative strip and on the upper side of the face section, lying opposite it, of the second profiled section of the frame, which positioning faces are oriented parallel to and/or transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the frame, and which have a surface normal which is inclined in the longitudinal direction or the transverse direction.
 19. The window unit as claimed in claim 11, having the features: positioning faces which are matched to one another are arranged on the underside of the decorative strip and on the upper side of the face section, lying opposite it, of the second profiled section of the frame, which positioning faces are oriented parallel to and/or transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the frame, and which have a surface normal which is inclined in the longitudinal direction or the transverse direction. 